Rule 3 - Commencement of Action - Commencement of Civil Action.. A civil action is commenced by the filing of a complaint and all other required documents together with the fees prescribed by law. Incarcerated individuals, attorneys who are granted a waiver pursuant to Art. X, Rule 3(c) of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules Governing Electronic Filing, and self-represented litigants who do not elect to electronically file pursuant to Art. X, Rule 3(b), may deposit the complaint and all other required documents with said fee in the mail addressed to the clerk or file the documents at the clerk's office.Last amended effective 1/29/2016.